Kanakapura is a town and the headquarters of Kanakapur Taluk in the Ramanagar district in the state of Karnataka, India. Situated 55 km from the city Bangalore, this town is famous for the production of silk and granite. It is located among the lush green forests of the state of Karnataka and The town is a tourism hotspot and an often visited tourist favorite in the entire state of Karnataka, as it has something for everyone ranging from avid trekkers to history buffs and wildlife enthusiasts.

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The place was originally under the Gangas and later under the Cholas, who administered it as a part of an area called Kilalainad. Later, the Hoysalas made it a major headquarters of a province (sime). Its name was changed as Kanakapur from its original Kanakanahalli. But earlier it is mentioned as Kanikaranahalli in two Hoysala records dated 1319 and 1317 A.D. from Hachchalu and Nyakanahalli (Kanakapur tq) villages respectively. Even a recent record dated 1662 A.D. by Mysore rulers from Malagala also mention the place as Kanikaranahalli being the headquarters of a sime. The local people universally call it as Kanikaranahalli, which is otherwise corrupted as Kankanahalli, says Buchanan[who?]. He further says Kanikaranahalli has a Kannada origin - Kani + Karna or Kanikara signifies showing sympathy.

A noted landmark of the town is the Rural college founded by Gandhians Gurikar Range Gowda, Advocate K. Subba Rao and social worker/politician S. Kariappa, who built up and managed the institution. Sri Kariappa is buried here and a memorial built in his honor.

Kanakapur is mainly famous for the Kanakapur fort, which was built by Jagadeva Raya. The fort is of great historical significance, but only its remains are present in the town of Kanakapur today, as the fort was burnt down not once but twice. Tipu Sultan, the emperor of Mysore burnt down the Kanakapur Fort, in order to stop the progress of the British Army during the war with the British Empire. The remains of the fort, present near the Arkavathi Bridge, can pique the interest of any tourist with a penchant for historical buildings.

There are 43 village panchayats in the taluk. A major industry is mining of granite in quarries. Other activities include silk production, powerlooms, brick production, bamboo production pottery and other rural industries. Agriculture is the main source of income for people . The Bee keeping industry has covered 38 villages and there are 150 bee keepers who maintain 300 bee colonies. The State Government is providing training facilities to rural people to encourage bee keeping in rural area. People are doing psericulture(silk) also.

Kanakapur Lok Sabha constituency had been considered to be the largest constituency in India with as many as 22 lakh voters participating from this constituency alone in the last Lok Sabha polls.Now, parts of erstwhile Kanakapura and Uttrahalli Lok Sabha constituencies have been redrawn to become a part of Bangalore Rural.

The taluk has geographical area of 1,59,426 hectares consisting of 6 hoblis, namely:

As of 2001[update] India census,[2] Kanakapur had a population of 47,047. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Kanakapur has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 72%, and female literacy is 59%. In Kanakapur, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Kanakapur has a main bus depot and a bus stand which has a capacity to accommodate as many as 30-50 KSRTC Buses. Kanakapur's expanding suburbs is well connected by Government and Private buses to all other parts of the city.

Kanakapur is famous for celebrating Ugadi(new year for Kannadigas),Shivarathri,Ganapathi festival,deepavali,dasara.

Shivarathri Jatre {Shivankareswara Temple Madivala,Sangama} it is very famous jatre which has celebrating from 300 plus years.

Kanakapur is well known for Dasara which is celebrated over a 2-3 day period.

Kallahalli jatre, the place is noted for its huge Srinivasa temple built in Vijayanagara style.

The Garbhagriha has a standing image of Srinivasa (about two metres tall).

There is a brick and mortar Shikhara over it. There is a spacious Navaranga in front of the Ardhamantapa with plain Vijayanagara pillars. The annual Jatra and car festival is held during Magha Poornima when more than 50 to 75,000 people assemble.

here mini dasara will be held in the month of October /November, for which more than 1 lakh people will attend.

Shree Shambhulingeswara jathra mohothsava Inora Gollahalli 25 km from kanakapura city via Koddihalli,which is celebrated over 2 days period after 15 days of Ugadi festival every year,here Rathothsava is very famous and here AGNI kondothsava very famous.

Shree Basaweshwara jathra mahothsava Bendagodu, 27 km from Kanakapura town off Sangama road,the village with natural beauty and natural forest. which is celebrated every year during the month of April-may, followed by sevalaal pooja and maramma uthsava.

sree anjaneya jatre is also one of the famous festival. which is celebrating from more than 50 years in bettahalli, naykaldoddi, arakere / aragadu, narayanapura...etc. some other villages are involving to celebrate of this fest... this is away from 9 km from kanakapura.

Holae Kattae Shree Mukhyapraana Devaru is one of the 732 Hanuman Temples;Consecrated by Madhwa Saint Sri Vyasarajaru.On the Banks of the River Arkavathi;about 550 years ago.

Tourists can also visit Bananthimari Betta(hill), which is a hill located around three kilometers (3 km) from the town. The Bananthimari temple, which is present at the base of the hill, is a tourist favorite, and adventure enthusiasts and trekking experts can try their hand at climbing the hill, as trekking is a popular adventure sport in this region.